Recommend Salt mix
- Thread starter PristineReef
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Gtinnel
10K Club member
I use Reef Crystals, it's far from the best but I have no issues with it for the price.
I think you will find that many people will get very defensive about the salt they use. There are many other threads about salt mixes that often turn argumentative.
I think you will find that many people will get very defensive about the salt they use. There are many other threads about salt mixes that often turn argumentative.
PeterC99
Solarbenchmark.com
No right or wrong answers. Use the salt mix that gives you saltwater closest to your parameters.
I use TMP because I hate cleaning out salt mix residue from my 25g saltwater mixing station.
I use TMP because I hate cleaning out salt mix residue from my 25g saltwater mixing station.
Gtinnel
10K Club member
I've gotten to where I no longer clean it out. Randy Holmes Farley said leaving it in the container isn't an issue so that was good enough for me. I guess if it starts plugging up my AWC line then I'll have to do something about it but until then I just leave it.
LeftyReefer
2500 Club Member
Live Aquaria salt surprisingly enough, is the best salt I've found performance/price wise.
It mixes fast and clear like all the high dollar premium priced salts, yet can be bought for $30-$50 a bucket when on sale.
have not found another salt that compares without spending a lot more per bucket.
It mixes fast and clear like all the high dollar premium priced salts, yet can be bought for $30-$50 a bucket when on sale.
have not found another salt that compares without spending a lot more per bucket.
Reeferbadness
Well-Known Member
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Tropic Marin Classic (pro alk is lower) - it mixes easily and quickly and has the parameters that i'm looking for.
I like red sea coral pro but only because I don't dose so the elevated levels are super useful for me. If I was dosing I would probably go with a cheaper option lol. Either that or go crazy and get the tropic marin since the price difference isn't that much 
PristineReef
Community Member
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Just looked it up. Pricing is much better. Couple of questions for you since you have been using it. Does it mix fast? How much per 5 gallon bucket of water does it take to meet 1.025 sg? ( 2cups, etc.) Are the readings accurate to what the salt says? (Mag, alk, cal levels). Ty for your feedback!
Gtinnel
10K Club member
Just something to consider, but if you use a salt that has much higher parameters than your tank, it makes it much more difficult to do a large water change during an emergency because you would get large parameters swings. That's why many people say to pick a salt that matches your tanks parameters.I like red sea coral pro but only because I don't dose so the elevated levels are super useful for me. If I was dosing I would probably go with a cheaper option lol. Either that or go crazy and get the tropic marin since the price difference isn't that much
I'm in the same boat though since I use IORC that mixes to 13 dKh. I've considered switching, but going through a bucket every 2 months I can't justify the extra cost of a premium brand.
Finally got a TM dealer in my town. They make some impressive products.
I plan to switch to completely to them. Is the pro the best one from that company? They have so many choices.
I was always used RC or IO. I just hate how RC leaves a brown mess and IO I have to test and boost.
I plan to switch to completely to them. Is the pro the best one from that company? They have so many choices.
I was always used RC or IO. I just hate how RC leaves a brown mess and IO I have to test and boost.
lynn.reef.nerd
Well-Known Member
Red Sea Blue Bucket for me. Parameters are close to what I keep the tank. The pro is too high in alk for me.
Used to use TM Pro but pricing and available became hard so went with Red Sea.
Used to use TM Pro but pricing and available became hard so went with Red Sea.
Frostblitz20
Well-Known Member
Fritz Blue box reef salt. Might try brightwell salt since i heard pretty good things about it.
LuizW13
Well-Known Member
Lou from Tropic Marin has been on the ReefDudes Youtube streams a couple of times and in one of them, he explained every salt they offer and why one would choose one over the other.
Clarkjw2002
Active Member
I use Tropic Marin but at a ratio of 50% regular and 50% pro. I find this gives me the parameters I want. I've used IO reef crystals and IO w/ added Ca and Mg but my tank was always happier w/ TM so I decided the cost was worth it.
Used to use just the pro but there was variability in mix parameters over the years. I still test and add Ca and Mg if needed but w/ the 1:1 mix the parameters seem to be much more consistent from batch to batch.
I do AWCs w/ a little changed every half hour so I like my parameters to be a little higher (less dosing), but not so high that I'd have a huge alk swing should an emergency situation arise.
Used to use just the pro but there was variability in mix parameters over the years. I still test and add Ca and Mg if needed but w/ the 1:1 mix the parameters seem to be much more consistent from batch to batch.
I do AWCs w/ a little changed every half hour so I like my parameters to be a little higher (less dosing), but not so high that I'd have a huge alk swing should an emergency situation arise.
LeftyReefer
2500 Club Member
Yes, I've bought it in every size, the small bags, the 55# boxes, and the 48# buckets and its always mixed up per the specs on the label. The stated 1/2 cup per gallon will get you pretty close.
I normally buy the 55# box or the 48# buckets as Petco usually has them priced the same. Started buying the buckets first, but then started getting the boxes since they were the same price and had a few extra lbs. I just dump the boxes into the empty buckets. Petco just had the bags buy 2 get 1 free, so I bought it in bags this time and then dumped them into my buckets when they showed up. Now I buy whatever size is on sale at the time. With the bag sale this time, 42# came to $32 total, shipped free.
Unfortunately, when my bags showed up yesterday, due to poor packing by Petco, they had ripped open inside the box and salt was leaking out the box seams when I found it on my porch. Petco is replacing it for free. I was able to salvage maybe 65% of it... hopefully the replacement bags fare better.
